Illinois Senator Barack Obama electrified the crowd at a Democratic fundraiser Friday night.
New Hampshire Public Radio's Dan Gorenstein reports.
Supporters wave signs as Illinois Senator Barack Obama begins his speech to the Democratic 100 Club dinner in Milford. (Lauren Melcher, NHPR)
Democratic activists were polited to Dennis Kucinich. They clapped for Bill Richardson. A lot of people waved signs and whooped for Hillary Clinton. But only Barack Obama got the public address announcer to issue a warning.
"Ladies and gentlemen, for safety concerns, before we can proceed, please take your seats."
Before people even made it back to their seats, the Illinois Senator was introduced.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Senator Barack Obama."
Then people spun back toward the stage and surged quickly forward.
State Representative Dan Eaton, who isn't backing anyone yet, said he was impressed.
"Senator Obama brought the roof down like I have never seen any candidate bring the roof down at a 100 Club dinner, or any Democratic dinner."
For NHPR News, I'm Dan Gorenstein.
I am a Democrat from Manchester and I have no ax to grind against Barak Obama and I don't mean to slight Dan Gorenstein on his reporting of the events that took place at the 100 Club Dinner put on last Thursday in Milford. I had the pleasure of driving my wife to this event because she did not feel comfortable driving that distance at night in unfamiliar territory. She is an Obama supporter. I wanted to hear all the candidates for one last time to make an informed choice. We listened to all the intros and the first speaker was Hillary. Whenever she said you need to choose someone with experience the Obama supporters would stand raising their signs chanting Obama. This was way in the back of the room and hey, they are Obama supporters. It was obvious they were just shouting down her message, which was rude, but they were a bunch of young kids having fun. When Kucinich spoke, they listened quietly and intently. When Richardson spoke they listened quietly and intently. Then prior to Obama's appearance operatives began working all the tables and urged the supporters to rush the stage in front of the gathering of media and scream and yell and wave the signs. Dan Gorenstein reported he saw something he has never witnessed at an event like this and this spontaneous "sea of humanity" rushed the stage. Well guess what? It was anything but spontaneous, it was orchestrated. By young people, hundreds if not thousands from not around here. OK, it's a movement, but not a New Hampshire movement. Barak has hijacked the independents and caused a swing in his favor. More power to him. But that's the reality of it. It's control the media and get a bounce. It's obvious the media is not interested in any other Democrat. I've decided to Vote for John Edwards. He was not at this event. He was out pressing the flesh with real people. I'm voting for Edwards. PS: My wife is too! ~Wayne-Manchester, New Hampshire